Nashville Predators vs Buffalo Sabres Rewind

Final: Nashville 4 - Buffalo 1

This game was all Nashville from the get go.  The Predators played with a lot of energy coming off of an overtime victory in a game they should've won walking away.  The team played much more deliberately in the third period as they protected a two goal advantage before Gaustad sealed the deal with an empty net goal.  Nick Spaling kept up his scoring after his return from a minor injury.  Craig Smith tallied his team-leading 20th goal, the first Predator to do so in 2 seasons since Hornqvist and Fisher both did it in the 2011-12 season.  Shea Weber rounds out the Predators scorers and now trails Karlsson by 1 goal as the highest scoring defenseman, a statistic that helped Karlsson trump Weber for the Norris trophy two years ago.  The Predators have scored 4 goals now in each of their last 2 contests, perhaps this is a sign of things to come.

Just when I started to doubt him Colin Wilson has proven me right and shown that he is indeed capable of anchoring the Predators at the Center position.  He had two assists last night following his point in the Ottawa game on Monday.  His passing is crisp, he is calm and deliberate with the puck, his positioning has few holes, and he is physical in the neutral zone.  Also impressive was his 61.5% wins in the faceoff circle taking some of the defensive zone pressure off of Gaustad.  These past two games have been glimpses at his potential and I am reaffirming my position that Wilson, along with Smith, will eventually become a star on this Predators team.

Weekend Rewind

Going into last night's contest with the Ottawa Senators Pekka Rinne had played phenomenally since his return.  If you had told me ahead of last night's game that Rinne would have a gaa of 2.02 and a save percentage of .922, I would have thought we had won at least 2 of the 3.  To put up those kinds of numbers in the first three games back from a bacterial infection that cost him 51 games this season is impressive enough, that two of those games were against St. Louis and Pittsburgh makes it even more of an accomplishment.  While those numbers are a testament to the work on the defensive end that the Predators are putting in, a quick review of the film shows that Rinne is literally spinning on his head to keep the puck out of the net.  Unfortunately, the Predators' offense remains anemic and instead those 3 games have resulted in 3 losses, all but eliminating Nashville from the playoffs.  That didn't change their intensity going into the game with Ottawa last night as the Predators pulled out a win in overtime.

The offense came alive in the second period putting pucks past Anderson, surprisingly enough it came on even strength opportunities.  In the third period the Predators got sloppy and allowed the Senators to tie up the contest on three goals that showed a lack of interest and positioning.  Overtime was a different story as Nashville closed down space in the neutral zone and possessed the puck with more authority.  Following a bit of skillful poke-checking the Predators came down on the break and the puck was dropped off to a trailing Seth Jones.  The rookie found a lane to the net and lit the horn for a game winner for the first time in the last 5 games.  The Predators are playing for pride at this point, and losing for a draft pick.  The remainder of the season will show how much forward thinking is being put into the lineup.

Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues Rewind

Another loss.  The number of points the Predators have to play with and still hope to make the playoffs is dwindling.  Last night's loss was particularly heartbreaking because much like Saturday's contest, the Predators had many opportunities to secure the victory.  Chances were there, but once again the forwards failed to put the puck in the back of the net more often than not.  Part of that can be attributed to Ryan Miller's phenomenal play as he has 3 victories in 3 appearances for the Blues since his trade.  Nashville did an excellent job on defense closing down space and limiting opportunities.  St. Louis came in averaging 3.23 goals per game so they were do their fair share of scoring chances, but the defense kept them few and far between and Rinne put on another spectacular performance.  It was a physical game where St. Louis checked the Predators players every time they touched the puck.  In the end, St. Louis made the most of their chances and went home with the win.

Colin Wilson struggled a bit in his new role following the departure of David Legwand.  His presence on the puck was formidable, but he still lacks a bit in terms of decision-making and execution on the break.  If he can continue to develop I expect him to bring the Predators considerable success.  Following this loss, the Predators' chances to make the playoffs are significantly diminished and I hope that means we will see more of our prospects suiting up for Nashville rather than Milwaukee.  I think it will be interesting to see how our young guys have developed.  In addition Nashville are likely headed towards a relatively high draft pick in a strong class.  Poile has a tendency to draft well, so that could be another silver lining for fans of the franchise.

Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues Preview

Tonight's game will seem like something is missing.  That something is a player that has been with the organization for 15 years.  David Legwand was the first ever draft pick by the Nashville Predators, second overall.  Yesterday, at the deadline, Nashville moved on from the lifelong Predators in exchange for a waning Patrick Eaves, a promising prospect in Calle Jarnkrok, and a precious draft pick.  The trade makes sense for the long term, but it is also a move that cries "not this year" for Nashville's playoff hopes.  The roster will undoubtedly be shaken up moving forward.

St. Louis has been a force as of late and the addition of Ryan Miller has made the squad even better.  Rinne will have his work cut out for him in his second game back as the Blues have brought a solemn tone to Broadway over their last few trips.  Nashville will look to shut down TJ Oshie and the scoring attack of the blues and likely rely on scoring from the back as they typically have had to do.  If there is one thing to look forward to, it is that St. Louis routinely takes a lot of penalties and if the Nashville powerplay squad can step up they can keep the Predators in this one.

Colin Wilson will be moved up to the center of the first line, a position that has been coming for a long time.  I have always thought Wilson possessed the talent to be a star in this league and tonight marks the next step in the right direction.  The Predators will need some offensive ingenuity as well as some faceoff dominance from Legwand's replacement, but if anyone can deliver it will be the big 33.  Wilson is a physical player with imposing size, his puck control is evident and now playing on a line with experienced players on the wing he can potentially make something happen for the ailing Predators scoring attack.

As the season progresses the Predators position for the playoffs will likely influence how many prospects the Predators bring up for experience.  Simon Moser was reassigned to the minors after struggling to make an impact in the last couple of games.  Jarnkrok has spent some time on the ice with Filup Forsberg in the world championships and I for one would like to see the two on the ice in Predators jerseys.  Time will tell how much of a sneak peak Poile and Trotz will give us, but a fan can dream can't I?

Prediction: Nashville 2, St. Louis 4

Nashville Predators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Rewind

Rinne Shines in Predators loss

Pittsburgh outlasted the Predators in a surprisingly physical contest 3 - 1 on Tuesday night.  Hitting was at a premium as both teams played with great intensity.  Colin Wilson came out on the wrong end of a scrum in the second period with some bruising forming immediately around his eye.  He continued to play after receiving some minor attention.  Most people would have expected this result, but what will surprise people is how difficult the win was for the Penguins.  The Predators kept on the forecheck and the lack of space allowed to Crosby, Malkin, and company was an obvious source of frustration for Pittsburgh.  The only dark spot on defense for Nashville was Mike Del Zotto who is still trying to find his footing with his new team.  The Penguins did force the Predators into some mistakes which ultimately made up the difference on the score sheet.

The biggest thing to take away is that Pekka Rinne looked amazing.  The save above came early in the first period on a play that usually leads to an easy goal.  Kunitz and Crosby are one of the most lethal pairings in the NHL and Rinne robbed Kunitz on what seemed like a tap in.  When interviewed from the bench Carter Hutton confirmed that the team collectively fed off the energy from that save.  He went on to explain how seeing Rinne make such a tremendous save almost immediately in his first game back from his bacterial infection gave the team confidence and inspiration as they prepare for this push for the playoffs.

I said that this game could serve as an audition for David Legwand should Poile decide to move him, if that was the case then Legwand will undoubtedly remain a Predators.  There were flashes of greatness especially in the faceoff circle where he routinely bested Crosby and on a particularly impressive shielding defensive play as Crosby drove to the net.  However, the rest of his game was peppered with sloppy passing, costly turnovers, and a general lack of positioning.  I'm hesitant to be critical of such a tremendous player, but I don't see this performance warranting a high enough return for Poile and Legwand to sign off on it.

Nashville Predators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview

Nashville fans will cringe when they see the Penguins as their next opponent following a heart-breaking loss in a must-win game where the Predators probably should have won.  Tonight scoring chances will be far more precious as the Penguins have one of the highest scoring offenses in the league.  Fear not Predators fans as Nashville is 5-0-1 against Pittsburgh when they play in the Music City.  Pittsburgh takes very few bad penalties so the power play squad will have to come up big on the opportunities they do get.

The keys to a Nashville victory tonight are pretty obvious.  The first will be how the Predators blue liners match up with the high powered offense of the Penguins.  Sidney Crosby is scoring at a blistering pace putting up 80 points with a quarter of the season remaining.  If Shea Weber and Roman Josi can limit the space the Penguins have to operate on the rush, and the forwards can wear Pittsburgh down on the forecheck the Predators can turn this into a gritty, physical contest where the Penguins are typically uncomfortable.  This method of attack has been successful in years past in Bridgestone and should be the primary focus if Nashville wants to come out on top tonight.

Broadway and 5th will be rocking tonight as it marks the return of the former Vezina-finalist Pekka Rinne.  Not only is Rinne a star goaltender, but he is also a fan favorite.  His imposing frame planted firmly between the pipes will boost the confidence of his teammates and the raucous atmosphere will give the team a surge of energy.  Don't be surprised if we see a bit of rust from Rinne, but I expect the defense to limit the shots he has to face early and once he gets a good groove going he can take over from there.  How Rinne handles the chances he faces in the first period will determine the outcome of this matchup.

Many analysts would agree that Saturday's contest likely helped move Poile's hand more towards a seller than a buyer.  That in mind, this game will likely be an audition for David Legwand should the Predators decide to ship the original Predator out at the deadline.  Pittsburgh is a likely opponent in the playoffs for teams at the top of the league and Legwand's performance tonight will show whether he can make an impact against the top teams, or if the rumors circulating around him are simply due to the low number of attractive options at center.  While I hope his performance is good enough to bring Nashville a win, I hope it is poor enough to keep him in Nashville!

Prediction: Nashville 2, Pittsburgh 3 OT

Weekend Rewind

Just like that Nashville's playoff hopes took a significant hit.  The Predators dropped a critical game on Saturday falling to the Winnipeg Jets by a score of 3-1.  Nashville dominated the scoring chances, but failed to find the net while the Jets capitalized on mistakes and made the most of their chances.  Carter Hutton gave up two goals that he probably should've stopped, characteristic of the inconsistent netminder, but the loss was certainly a reflection of the Nashville forwards' inability to score.  The power play squad was unable to bail out the Nashville offense and while the defense was exceptional for most of the day, the few lapses allowed the Jets to score.  A chance to tie Winnipeg on a weekend where Vancouver and Phoenix both dropped their games, the Predators failed to seize critical points headed into a contest with the Penguins.

The Predators do have something to look forward to when they challenge Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, the return of Pekka Rinne! Nashville has chosen a troubling matchup to unveil the ailing goaltender as Pittsburgh has a high-powered offense, but nonetheless Predators fans will be eager to see the big 35 back between the pipes.  Rinne looked healthy in his brief stint in Milwaukee and although he faced few chances he looked sharp on the opportunities he did face.  The defense will look to close down space on Crosby and the other shooters on Tuesday to give Rinne some assistance.

A friend of mine asked me what I would do at the trade deadline if I was Nashville.  I thought about it and I decided I would like to see the Predators move for Vanek.  A trade like this is really unlikely, but one has to admit it would be intriguing.  Poile can offer some draft picks and a young defensive prospect, no doubt what the Islanders would be looking for since their season is circling the drain, in exchange for a proven goal scorer.  Nashville also has one of the best goalies as well as one of the best defenders in the league locked into long term contracts.  Explaining that to Vanek while also showing that all the Predators need to become true title contenders is an offensive powerhouse might even persuade Vanek to sign a contract leading into the playoffs.  It won't happen, but it's fun to think about.

Nashville Predators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Rewind

Final: Predators 3, Lightning 2

The Predators had a lot of rust coming in off the break and Tampa Bay used their offensive speed to exploit it early forcing turnovers in the offensive zone.  St. Louis capitalized and lit the lamp twice in the first 10 minutes of the opening period.  The Predators looked sluggish and sloppy in the first stanza and Tampa Bay controlled the pace of the game.  During the first intermission Gabriel Borque, one of the few predators that didn't look lost, said that the team wasn't ready for the intensity that the Lightning started the game with.  Ryan Clune saw to it that the Predators woke up in the second with a fight that saw him doing much of the punching, but with little damage done on either side.  The predators fed off the energy of the stadium shutting down Tampa Bay's space in the neutral zone and spending quality minutes on the forecheck grinding the Lightning players down in the corners.  Intensity and energy swayed the game for Nashville's benefit.

As the preview stated, the key to the game was special teams and defense.  While Carter Hutton appeared at ease in the crease for the majority of the game, it was due to the work his blue-liners gave him in front of the net.  Hutton faced a grand total of 16 shots and while the first score by St. Louis was unstoppable the second was unforgivable.  The puck hit Hutton's glove, fell between his pads, and slowly trickled across the line.  The defense responded by closing out on shooters early while Josi and Ellis showed exceptional use of the stick with adept poke checking.  Another notable example was a particularly phenomenal block late in the third period by Shea Weber on rookie Tyler Johnson.

All three of Nashville's goals came on the power play.  Their efficiency improved their special teams unit from 7th best in the league up to 5th.  While they struggle to score at even strength the Predators continue to be able to execute with a man advantage.  If they can keep this up and balance it with discipline on defense I think the Predators could ride this unit to prolonged success.

Rinne close to NHL ready

Barry Trotz has let it slip that Rinne may return to the ice at some point during this home stand.  He is currently in Milwaukee where he will likely start on Friday and again on Sunday should he feel prepared to.  Following Sunday the Admirals have a 4 day off-period that may be tabbed for Rinne's return to Nashville.  Predators fans rejoice, we may see the Fin back between the pipes as early as next weekend! What impact will this have on Nashville's playoff hopes? Only time will tell...

Nashville Predators - Tampa Bay Lightning Preview

The Predators kick off the final quarter of the season with a tough home game against a talented Lightning team at the top of the Eastern Conference.  The only appealing element of tonight's contest for Nashville is that Steven Stamkos is still out to recover from his broken leg.  Bishop will likely be between the pipes and his sub-2 GAA doesn't bode well for a Nashville team that struggles to score.  If the Predators can shut down Martin St. Louis, the Lightning's leader in all scoring categories, they will have to worry about the return of Valtteri Filppula, a familiar foe that always gave them problems during his time in Detroit.

Still, the Predators have a lot to play for and a talented roster that always seems to come into its own at the end of the season.  Shea Weber and Roman Josi are both coming off strong Olympic campaigns and will bolster a defense that will likely prove more formidable now that Mike Del Zotto has had time to settle in Nashville.  Trotz recently stated that Carter Hutton is still the starting goaltender, but his 7.09 GAA against the Lightning is a bit concerning.  If the play in front of him improves as it should, I expect we will see that number decrease substantially.  It will be up to Nashville's forwards and powerplay lines to keep up with the scoring of the Lightning.  Tampa Bay averages 5-6 penalties a game and Bridgestone usually affords its fair share of frustration penalties.  If the Preds can stay out of the box, shut down St. Louis and the other scorers, and the special teams can convert I think Nashville can pull this one out.

Prediction: Nashville 4, Tampa Bay 3

Post-Olympic Break Preview

As the NHL season resumes following the end of the Sochi games, the Predators can look forward to what promises to be an interesting wild card race in the West.  With 5 teams vying for the final spot and separated by merely 4 points, every game is essentially a must-win for the inconsistent Nashville squad.  Bridgestone Arena continues to be a hostile environment for visiting teams and with a 5-game home stand to open up following the Olympic break, the Predators hope to make up some ground early.  Let's look at some other storylines to watch in the Music City for the next few months.

1.  How soon will Pekka Rinne make his return?

Even more importantly, how will he play when he finally breaks back into the lineup?  The Predators have an astonishingly bad -34 goal differential this season.  As a franchise that has historically embodied the "defense first" mentality this number is a bit uncharacteristic, but not surprising given their youth on the blue line.  Mazanec and Hutton held their own at the beginning of the season, but eventually talent and experience caught up with them.  The addition of Dubnyk seemed like it would curb some of the goaltending woes, but his recent performances in Edmonton have followed him down South.  Rinne headed to Milwaukee for what we can all hope is a brief rehabilitation stint, and the Predators will certainly hope that the second of their stars will make his presence felt shortly.

2. What will happen to the original Predator?

Trade rumors have been swirling around the league concerning David Legwand.  He is undoubtedly one of the most attractive options at center for potential buyers, and with his impending free agency looming David Poile may be forced to shop him at the deadline.  If an offer comes involving some draft picks or a young prospect, it may be very tempting to part with the Nashville-lifer given the Predators aptitude for drafting well and developing talent.  However, Legwand leads the team in points and assists, has a no-trade clause, and has a family that adores Nashville.  I would love to see him spend his entire career here, but the idea of Legwand getting a chance to win a championship as a rental and then return to the Music City this Summer in free agency sounds like a good thing for everyone involved.

3.  How will Del Zotto fit into the Predators system?

This acquisition offers two storylines to examine.  Will the Predators make some additional moves and turn into buyer rather than sellers at this deadline? Poile has proven every year to be one of the brightest GM's in the league with one eye on the present and one eye on the future (I suppose his recent injury may suggest otherwise, but nonetheless he is one of the best).  With the addition of MDZ all 3 blue line shifts have 2 players playing on their natural side.  Seth Jones explained today on a local radio show that this provides an incredible advantage for him personally, and he is excited to play on a pairing with a like-minded player.  If MDZ can return to the form of the early portion of the year, one could argue that as Josi and Jones develop the Predators could have one of the most formidable defensive corps in the league.

More storylines coming tomorrow followed by a brief preview of the Predators-Blues matchup that kicks off the next half of the season in Nashville!